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Inspiron 9300 and other new Dell Laptops... Hidden Parition - Page 2

post #21 of 38
3/20/05 at 7:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joseyu
For thos of you who like to reformat their HD once in a while like I do, I have found a method to do it in under 1 hour. What I do is that I have an extra 40GB 2.5" HD in a USB2 enclosure, and after I do a fresh format and software installation, I use Ghost and clone the current HD into the USB drive. So that acts like a system disk backup. I also keep all my user files in 1 folder that I backup on to a DVD. So every 3 months, I just backup my userdata folder, quick format my HD, clone my USB HD back into the notebook and then copy the updated userdata folder back into the laptop. The whole process takes about an hour to do. And if the notebook HD ever fails, I can just insert my USB HD into it and be up and running again in no time. Just thought I can save some of you fellow frequent HD formatters some time.
Please tell us the step by step instructions. I mean. You need Ghost installed to reinstall the Ghost Image. How do you use Ghost when you delete it when you reformat ? Or is the old software still installed and you use the Ghost software to reinstall from the USB hard drive ?
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post #22 of 38
3/20/05 at 7:37pm
You don't need to do a clean install. If you delete Dell's install partition, it's gone.

To slipstream all your programs, windows xp, updates, security setup. Check this out.

http://www.radixprotector.com/

Store.
www.radix-int.com/buy.htm
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post #23 of 38
3/20/05 at 8:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dlinkin
Please tell us the step by step instructions. I mean. You need Ghost installed to reinstall the Ghost Image. How do you use Ghost when you delete it when you reformat ? Or is the old software still installed and you use the Ghost software to reinstall from the USB hard drive ?
Sorry, one of my steps sounded confusing. When I reformat my HD, this is what I do. I switch the HD's, meaning that I am running my USB HD from the notebook and the notebook HD in the USB enclosure. Then I format my USB HD, which now has my original notebook HD, then run ghost off from HD currently in the laptop and clone everything back in and then switch the HD's again.

When you create your system backup on the USB HD, make sure you are cloning a system with all your preferred setting, such as the icons on the desktop or quick launch bar. Or stuff like the defaul font in Word...just stuff like that, so you don't have to set it again after the whole format process.
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post #24 of 38
3/21/05 at 12:43am
is there any harm for frequent reformatting
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post #25 of 38
3/21/05 at 1:53am
It sounds like the "hook" to access the diagnostic and restore partitions for newer notebooks is in the BIOS since it seems to be a boot up option. I wonder if it can cause any issues operating the notebook without these two special partitions. I suspect probably not - but would like some confirmation.
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post #26 of 38
3/21/05 at 2:54am
No. The Diagnostics and Symantec Restore are Partitions. You can only have 4 major partitions, just 4. Dell uses all 4.

The diagnostics and Symantec restore are not integrated with the bios, but the partitions that are erased.
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post #27 of 38
3/21/05 at 3:53am
i deleted my hidden partition and all hidden partitions on any computer i work on.

if you have a cd, you don't need the partition.
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post #28 of 38
3/21/05 at 4:21am
You can absolutely slipstream software into your WinXP install. I have one with Winrar, Nero, Intervideo WinDVD, Office, and Alchohol 120%. It is a DVD version. There are tutorials online that are fairly easy to follow. Only problems you may run in to is updates for the software. Although updating software is not a hard task. I am unsure if you can slipstream a user profile into those. I would ideally set it up to have some favorites and passwords resaved. Like backing up my Opera files. Dunno will look into it if I decide to keep this laptop.
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post #29 of 38
3/21/05 at 12:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dlinkin
No. The Diagnostics and Symantec Restore are Partitions. You can only have 4 major partitions, just 4. Dell uses all 4.

The diagnostics and Symantec restore are not integrated with the bios, but the partitions that are erased.
So it sounds like the BIOS is programmed to look for the special partitions for diagnostics and restore - if it does not find them it simply won't offer the assocaited options during the boot process?
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post #30 of 38
3/21/05 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DBS
i deleted my hidden partition and all hidden partitions on any computer i work on.
May I ask how you deleted them? Are the two partitions in the image I attached both Dell partitions? Can I simply delete them using XP Administrative Tools (Disk Management) and everything will still "work" (minus the Dell crud)?



Thanks -- cause I've spent so much time installing everything onto my new i9200 from my old laptop, I'm just not ready to do it all again (I haven't even finished yet!).

Also, if I do decide to format (ugh!), can I use the Dell CD w/WinXP on it? Doesn't it also install all it's crud then, or does it only have XP on it? Just a little confused since it was pre-installed, and I didn't have to activate XP like I did on my PC's (put seperately bought XP on) and my old laptop (came w/XP installed, but needed to be activated).

Thanks.
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post #31 of 38
3/21/05 at 11:13pm
ummm.. i just stick in the windows xp cd. boot from cd. and use the directions to delete all partitions, create new partitions, and do a fresh install.


all you need is a windows xp cd.



now that slipstreaming stuff, that's cool. but it's different from a basic reformat that most people do with a new machine or a completely corrupted machine.

unless you are a serious power user then you only need a windows xp disk. if you think you'll ever reformat (always asume so) then create 2 or 3 partitions. and when you want to reformat back up your data on the other partitions. then only format your main partition.
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post #32 of 38
3/22/05 at 1:46am
i would like to know if this can be done.

do a fresh install of windows xp, when it shows the partitions , which should be three i think.......1 is the c drive with windows and dell crap, 2 is the diagnostic partition (F12) , 3 is the factory restore (F11).

now what i want to know is can we delete the big partition which is the one that holds windows and dell crap.. leave the other two partitions, the diagonistic and restore... and still be able to perform those tasks when you reboot your laptop....

please comment on this.

for those who have done this method , can you confirm that you can still use the diagonistic tools and the restore function...another thing when you guys did a fresh install did it show all three partitions or just two?? thanks and what were the sizes of each if you remember thanks alot...
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post #33 of 38
3/22/05 at 2:45am
you should be able to do that
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post #34 of 38
3/22/05 at 6:51am
I blitzed the hard drive the other day, got rid of all the Dell crap and trialware, deleted all partitions dowloaded all the drivers off Dell website, web updated XP pro, Office 2003, NAV 2005, then Ghosted the system partition to:-

1. The service partition I created (5GB FAT32)
2. A DVD +R Disk (via the inbuilt DVD burner)

Laptop runs noticebly quicker now. (3DMark 2005 = 3100) and I can restore in minutes.
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post #35 of 38
3/22/05 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xelon
I blitzed the hard drive the other day, got rid of all the Dell crap and trialware, deleted all partitions dowloaded all the drivers off Dell website, web updated XP pro, Office 2003, NAV 2005, then Ghosted the system partition to:-

1. The service partition I created (5GB FAT32)
2. A DVD +R Disk (via the inbuilt DVD burner)

Laptop runs noticebly quicker now. (3DMark 2005 = 3100) and I can restore in minutes.
My notebook arrives today (hopefull) and I am considering doing a full reformat as well. What was your 3DMark score prior to reformatting? And were all other conditions the same i.e. same video driver, same memory, same BIOS, etc?
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post #36 of 38
3/22/05 at 10:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anettis
My notebook arrives today (hopefull) and I am considering doing a full reformat as well. What was your 3DMark score prior to reformatting? And were all other conditions the same i.e. same video driver, same memory, same BIOS, etc?
New Bios update from A01 to A02, updated Nvidia 6800 Driver, in fact half the drivers were updates from the original install, sorry that was the 3D Mark score with the original Dell Factory install, but with the new Bios update, will run the benchmark later to test the new Nvidia driver.

Good Luck with youre i9300 you won't be dissapointed.
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post #37 of 38
3/22/05 at 10:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xelon
New Bios update from A01 to A02, updated Nvidia 6800 Driver, in fact half the drivers were updates from the original install, sorry that was the 3D Mark score with the original Dell Factory install, but with the new Bios update, will run the benchmark later to test the new Nvidia driver.

Good Luck with youre i9300 you won't be dissapointed.
Thanks for the info! I guess what I am really trying to guage is if there is REALLY a performance gain by doing a full reformat / installation OR if it is more of a peace of mind issue that you have eliminated the uneeded fluff that DELL includes.

I realize there is a measurable gain in hard drive spaces, especially if you delete the restore partition. But I am wondering if there is a measurable increase in performance.
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post #38 of 38
3/22/05 at 10:48am
When you first get the Inspiron with the factory build you are bombarded by Trial ware registrations, McFee AV, Tiscali AOL etc. Also mine came with XP home, seen I had a lisensed copy of XP Pro I wasn't going to pay for it. You will always get better performance especially Boot up speed, due to all the Trialware not being in the Startup group. Just make sure you Defrag the Disk before you Save an image.

Just my opinion, Don't forget as soon as you turn the machine on Software Vendors and ISP's are basically pitching for youre business, by encouraging you to upgrade to the full versions. I'm sure they pay Dell for the privelige. Its all down too choice, either tailor the Notebook Software build to youre exact spec, or exept Dells Factory Default.
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